The Poor Son In Law Is A Billionaire

“I heard Julian is coming back tomorrow. What are you going to do, Chloe?”

Adrian stopped in his tracks when he heard Selena, his wife's best friend, ask the question. He knew exactly who Julian was, Chloe's ex-boyfriend.

“When Julian comes back, I'm getting a divorce.”

Chloe's answer left Adrian rooted to the spot. He hadn't intended to eavesdrop. He had come to bring Chloe some warm porridge because she'd complained about having stomach problems a little while ago.

“Divorce? Are you serious?” Selena laughed as if the news delighted her.

“My relationship with Adrian has never been anything serious. We were just filling the void while Julian was away. I never expected it to drag on for three whole years.”

Adrian's jaw tightened. So, to Chloe, their three-year relationship had been nothing more than a way to pass the time.

“Oh, my God! You've finally come to your senses!” Selena's laughter grew louder. “He's been clinging to you like a leech for three years. Are you sure he'll just walk away without demanding a share of your wealth?”

“Adrian isn't the type of man who would make a divorce difficult. He knows his place.”

Chloe's answer made Adrian clench his fists until his knuckles turned white. He had secretly hoped she would say something in his defense, anything at all. But the reality was far more painful.

“Yeah, exactly. He's been living the good life all this time, hasn't he?” Selena continued to belittle Adrian. “All he does is eat and sleep in this house. He should know better than to take anything else from you.”

Adrian's shoulders stiffened. Warm steam from the stomach-soothing porridge he'd prepared seeped through the container's lid, burning his fingers, but the coldness spreading through his chest cut far deeper.

Three years ago, Chloe had sobbed in the pouring rain after Julian flew overseas. She had come to Adrian, taken his hand, begged him to love her, and pleaded with him to give her the commitment she needed.

After graduation, when the business Chloe had built was on the verge of collapse, Adrian had handed over his five million in savings without a second thought. He couldn't bear to watch his wife fall ill from stress. Important business contacts, connections to high-ranking officials, and major clients had mysteriously begun appearing on his wife's desk. All of it had come from the help he had provided quietly and free of charge.

And what had he received in return?

It turned out that for three whole years, he had been nothing more than a substitute.

Of course, Adrian was angry. He felt as though he'd been played for a fool.

The bedroom door flew open and slammed against the wall. Chloe and Selena jumped in surprise.

Chloe's eyes widened when her gaze met his. “Adrian, you scared me!”

Adrian strode into the room, ignoring his wife's protest and sparing no glance for Selena, the instigator. He placed the container of warm porridge on the bedside table.

“So, you want a divorce?” His question drained the color from Chloe's face.

“How long have you been standing outside?” Her lips trembled as she reached for the sleeve of Adrian's shirt. “It's not what you think. We were just...”

“I'm free tomorrow morning.” Adrian cut her off, something he had never done in all their time together. His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “The courthouse opens at eight. We'll settle this there.”

Chloe stared at him in stunned silence, her brows drawing tightly together. Throughout their three years of marriage, Adrian had always been the one to give in. He made her warm milk every night and had never once raised his voice at her.

But this morning, Chloe was seeing a different Adrian.

He turned away without sparing her another glance. He didn't remind her to eat the porridge while it was still warm. He didn't offer to massage her or ask if she needed anything. His footsteps were steady as he left the room, leaving behind the warm porridge that was slowly cooling on the bedside table.

Chloe instinctively got to her feet, intending to chase after him.

“Who knew your husband had such a temper?” Selena teased, catching Chloe by the wrist and flashing a dismissive smile.

“He's never acted like that before,” Chloe murmured.

An inexplicable flutter stirred in her chest, and a sudden uneasiness crept over her. For the first time in their three years of marriage, she had watched Adrian walk away with not a trace of warmth left in his eyes.

The vibration of the phone on the table snapped her out of her daze. A notification appeared on the screen.

I'll land at ten tomorrow morning. I miss you. It's been three years. I don't know if you still want to see me or not.

Chloe's fingers hovered over the screen as uncertainty crept in. Before she could type a single word, her best friend snatched the phone from her hand.

Selena smirked and typed a reply as though she were Chloe.

“Of course I want to see you, darling. I can't wait for tomorrow.” She immediately hit send.

“What are you doing, Selena? I'm still a married woman, in case you've forgotten!” Chloe snapped, her face flushing as she tried to snatch her phone back.

“You're getting divorced tomorrow, aren't you?” Selena replied casually. “Once you're divorced, it won't count as cheating. You've loved Julian for years. Come on, Chloe. As your best friend, I'm just giving you the push you need. Leave that leech behind. You deserve someone like Julian, a hardworking man, not a househusband! Now, let's go out and have some fun at a bar!”

Outside the room, Adrian stared at his fingers as they trembled violently. A bitter, mocking laugh escaped his lips. He felt like a fool for ever believing that what he and Chloe shared was special.

Enough foolishness.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number he had kept hidden for three years. The call connected on the second ring.

The person on the other end seemed to hold his breath. “Sir, is that really you?” The middle-aged man's voice trembled with a mixture of shock and profound respect.

Adrian closed his eyes for a moment, letting the cold wind strip away the last traces of warmth in his chest.

“Cut off all the secret assistance to Chloe's company.”

The man on the other end was stunned. “But didn't you say you would reveal your identity to the young madam and bring her home to meet the master?”

Adrian glanced briefly at the bedroom door.

“There's no need.” His reply was curt. “Never bring this up again.”

He ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Then he stared at the bedroom door one last time, his gaze cold and deadly.

All this time, he had hidden his identity because he wanted to find out whether Chloe truly loved him or had merely taken advantage of his presence while Julian was away.

Today, he had found his answer, and it had torn his pride to shreds. She had only been playing with him.

“She wants to play games with me? Fine. Now it's my turn.”